It will stay on your credit report for up to 3 years once completed. If you are unable to make ends meet, great credit will not help you. When you are in debt, the last thing you should worry about is your credit. Often people believe they can get a consolidation loan but are turned down because their debt to income ratio is not good. Despite having "great credit." You cannot borrow your way out of debt. Making minimum payment in almost all scenarios takes decades to pay off debt while affecting their health, wealth, and happiness. Not a good way to live. Twenty+ years ago, great credit was hard to come by; rebuilding credit nowadays is easier than ever. There is no reason to remain in debt anymore.